Online Auditions

Video Auditions are accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants who submit video auditions are automatically considered for scholarship.

If you have not taken the placement evaluations and you would like to be considered for a course exemption next semester, please email us at music@sfsu.edu.

After applying to SFSU (future.sfsu.edu), please complete this form:  Audition/Placement Evaluation

Current available placement evaluation dates:

*August 18, 2023 (predicted date for Fall 2023 start date)

If you have any factors limiting your ability to submit a video audition please contact music@sfsu.edu for further assistance.

After we receive your submission, our faculty will review your materials and reach out if they have any additional questions, and to follow up with you about your admission results. Please be patient and allow adequate time for the faculty to review the auditions as we may receive a large number of submissions. Faculty will review each application as promptly as possible. If you have any questions please contact music@sfsu.edu.

Audition/Placement Evaluation Submission Form

Piano Placement Evaluation

All undergraduate music majors are required to take Class Piano Courses. The Piano Placement Evaluation is taken to pass out of one or more of these classes. Please upload a video (YouTube or Vimeo preferred) of no more than 10 minutes of you playing piano/keyboard in any style, demonstrating your level of keyboard proficiency. This is a section on the online audition form.

Piano Placement Evaluation Submissions
A vocalist standing in front of a poster that reads La Boheme looking at her music stand. She is young and Asian and has long pink hair. She is dressed in a black long-sleeved shirt and black pants.
A violinist in a white embroidered top playing her instrument with a look of concentration. She has a medium-brown complexion and long dark hair.

Who Needs to Audition?

Bachelor of Arts in Music

Auditions and placement evaluations are not required to enter the Bachelor of Arts program.  However, we recommend that all entering B.A. students take the placement evaluations so you can be placed in a class appropriate to your skill level.

If you are a B.A. student and would like private lessons as part of your program you will need to submit an audition video (or portfolio if you want composition instruction).

Bachelor of Music

Students entering the Bachelor of Music program are required to submit an audition video or composition portfolio. Placement evaluations are not required, however, we recommend that all entering B.M. students take the placement evaluations so you can be placed in a class appropriate to your skill level.

Master of Arts in Music

Students entering the Master of Arts in Music program studying Music History and Music Education are not required to audition but are required to take the graduate level placement evaluations.

Master of Arts students studying Composition are required to submit a composition portfolio and take the graduate level placement evaluations.

Master of Music

Students entering the Master of Music Program are required to submit an audition video and take the graduate level placement evaluations.

What Do I Need to Know about Submitting an Audition?

The below links have some suggestions on what we are looking for based on area of study but the most important thing is to choose pieces that are best representative of your skill level.

Tips on Filming a Successful Video Audition